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fectly acceptable.
Water, alone, does not replace sodium loss which is particularly high in sweat. You should use reasonable amounts of table salt when you are preparing meals, especially in the summer months. Salt (chemically known as "sodium chloride") is a vital ingredient of normal body fluids. Its affect on blood pressure is often overemphasized. If you have high blood pressure, salt can - if used excessively - raise blood pressure. Check with Dr. Albright to make sure your blood pressure is staying normal. But, for the most part, reasonable amounts of salt are safe and necessary.
Also remember, a hidden source of salt is soft drinks. Both sweetened and diet drinks contain varying amounts of sodium. You don't have to limit the diet drinks unless you start to notice excessive fluid retention or your blood pressure is consistently elevated. Fluid retention is usually manifested by swelling in the ankles particularly toward the end of the day that is gone when you wake up in the morning. If you notice swelling in your ankles, discuss the problem with Dr. Albright. Be careful to recognize foods that are associated with fluid retention. For example, notice the differences below:
Fresh Ham (1/4 pound) has 40 mg sodium; Canned ham (3 slices) has 800 mg sodium.
Tuna canned in water (3 1/2 ounces) has 45 mg sodium; tuna canned in oil (same amount) has 800 mg sodium.
Remember: Be a "label reader." The FDA has made it mandatory for food manufacturers to list the fat content of food. Make it a habit to read the labels of all canned and prepackaged foods and meats. Be aware, also, of the "servings per container."
Sugar Substitutes: Try and use Equal™, Sugar Twin™, Sweet 'n Low™, etc. when possible. But, sugar restriction is not absolutely that important with this diet. REMEMBER: we are much more interested in
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